The Parable of the PC

In those days there were three computers, endowed equally by their makers with processing power, memory and addressable storage.

But Satan corrupted each operating system with the sly installation of spyware, browser hijackers and security holes until there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The Maker, in His mercy, sent down His Holy Spirit to the despairing computers. The Holy Spirit appeared to each in the form of System Update to close the security holes and shore up the despairing software. It asked the question of each PC: Do you want to run System Update? and offering a checkbox saying "Always trust" the Maker.

The first PC, fearing yet another infection, quickly closed the update window. Within hours, the spyware already on it called out to legions of viruses and malware until the system shut down completely.

The second PC accepted the update, but was too frightened to check the "always trust" box. It sighed with relief as the Holy Spirit cleaned its systems and saved it from the worst of the demons. And it walked away with a false sense of security that it would be protected from future onslaughts. Within the month, spyware and malware crept back into the second PC and, before it could cry out to the Maker, it, too, crashed.

The third PC gratefully accepted the update and, in a leap of faith, checked the "always trust" box. Like the second PC, it received the merciful update from its Maker and began to feel much better. And then, as days and weeks went by, the Maker sent the Holy Spirit unbidden to shore up the PC's systems -- even when the PC was unaware it was being attacked.

Before long, the third PC was becoming famous among all its brethren for having the fewest problems, for working the fastest and for never seeming to worry when others crashed around it.

To those who asked, the third PC had only this advice: "Always trust the Maker."

A view on myself

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are not looking merely for a girl/boyfriend - you are looking for your life partner. Perhaps you should be more open-minded about who you spend time with. The person you are looking for might hide their charm under their exterior.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:

You have many goals and want to achieve as much as you can. The jobs you enjoy are those that let you burn off your considerable excess energy.

How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

10 things I love about you

I love the way you trust me enough to spoil me. You have the softest heart, I worry sometimes that I'll trample you in a fit of selfishness.

I love your patience. Even when I can see you're frustrated, you persevere because you treasure me... like I'm some princess or precious jewel. You make me believe I'm worth fighting for.

I love your intensity. You make yourself so vulnerable when you announce what you believe. I want that strength, not to slip into the background, stay in the safe harbour- but rather go out, guns blazing.

I love your apparent contradictions, your complexity. I love that there's so much I don't understand about you. I love that we're so different.

I love the way you transform into a Godly priest when you preach. It's such a testimony to me of the Holy Spirit's power. It's like God moulds you as you speak, guiding you and inspiring you. I learn so much from you about our Creator.

I love the way you love your mom, protecting her and encouraging her. My mom always told me to watch out for that cos it's a test of how a man will treat his wife. It's true.

I love how you refuse to accept defeat. Someone will tell you can't do something and you'll do it anyway. You risk embarassment and pretty much always prove them wrong. And when you fail, you laugh and pick yourself up, ready for the next challenge.

I love to see you cry. Not when I've hurt you or you feel disillusioned but when you're so appreciative or overcome by God's grace in your life that it spills from your eyes. You breathe in life and sigh in deep understanding of what you've been blessed with. Not many people can do that.

I love your road rage. I know you'd never hurt anyone but I love your righteous indignation at stop street violators or those who skip the line at 4-ways. You turn into a traffic officer, determined to let the offender know they should drive more safely. I can so see you as a gunslinging sheriff. You were born into the wrong era! You should have been a cowboy.

I love your humility in learning new things. I love to see your eyes light up when you hear a new idea that really makes sense to you. I love your passionate conversation in your efforts to learn more.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Joenard Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. What Jay Means You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

Passion

Passion is an internal resolve to follow your vision even when things don't seem rosy. Passion is the inner push that gives you
the strength to carry on even when you feel like quitting. People who have made meaningful contribution to life have been able to do so because they refused to give up even in the face of opposition, disappointment, and discouragement. They stuck to their guns, and today are being rewarded for it.

Ask any accomplished footballer. They will tell you that their passion for the game (and not just money alone) makes them train hard week after week, continue playing even after serious career
threatening injuries. Passion makes the best out of every situation. Passion doesn't care about what people say.

As long as you are on the path of your life's purpose, passion is an added tool that will make you accomplish your vision. Passion goes the extra mile. Passion says YES in the midst of NO. When surrounded by negatives, passion only sees the positive.

Conflicts, oppositions, attacks, setbacks, or even failure never deters passion. Passion persists to the end. If you are going to be successful in life, then you've got to be bitten by the bug of passion. It is a much-needed sting in the prosecution of your destiny.

Friend, will you embrace passion or sit down and wallow in self-pity? Passion is all you need to make that required breakthrough.